Churches of christ

By Graeme Tearle

Colossians 4v15-18:
 
In this closing passage, Paul gives final greetings and final brief instructions.

1. The Letters.
As mentioned in the introduction to this series, Colossae was one church in a cluster of three within a radius of approximately 30km, located approximately 160 km east of Ephesus.
He gives instructions regarding the exchange of letters.
Once read, this one was to go to Laodicea; plus they were to ensure that they received the letter to Laodicea and read themselves.
We do not have the letter referred to today.
However, the letter to the Ephesians is mostly regarded as a circular letter to the area of Asia Minor, and Paul may well be referring to it here. Plus there is the connection to Acts 19v10, where the gospel spread throughout Asia while Paul was in Ephesus for two years, and this would include these three churches.
Whatever the case, we see here the injunction to body and church fellowship, and sharing of resource.
Greetings were to pass between the two cities, Nympha was encouraged for the church in her house, and a reminder of Paul being in prison was to be shared.

2. Archippus.  
Archippus is mentioned in the New Testament only here and in Philemon v2.
Two things stand out concerning him:

1. Fellow soldier
2. Having a ministry from the Lord

We do not know specifically what these refer to, but can deduct the following:

• He was in the battle for the gospel of Jesus, and as a ‘fellow,’ worked alongside Paul and other faithful servants of Christ
• He had received a ministry from the Lord. The expression implies the personal interest of the Lord in commissioning Archippus to a role.
• And he must see to the fulfilment of that role. This expression exhorts Archippus regarding his service to the Lord, not to give up, and continue on to the completion.
• This could be paraphrased: “Archippus, see that you complete the Lord’s work.”

 
Colossians : Points to Ponder.
 
Continue in the life of the fellowship of the church.
Continue in the calling and ministry of the Lord in your life.